Elena Taylor

Iconic New York. You make me bittersweet, filled as you are with promises and history. The music in your hallways, the art in your streets. It's the loneliest place to be surrounded by people. From the Battery to Inwood, Riverside to FDR. Thirteen miles of paradise and purgatory. There's nothing else quite like you in the world.

I love ThrillerFest! Great to see old friends, and make new ones. So honored to be a part of the amazing debut authors' first year. Big shout out to everyone who makes this event possible, especially and my co-hort in crime,

Safe travels all!

Love to see my books at ThrillerFest! Had a terrific time teaching a workshop about voice for CraftFest. The smartest writers come to this conference.

Thrilled to be back in NYC for CraftFest, QueryFest, PitchFest & ThrillerFest! Proud member of

Noble looking ... noble.

A big shoutout to Jeff Ayers for his terrific review of Kill to Keep!

In her latest mystery, Taylor delivers a thrilling and atmospheric whodunit set against the backdrop of a traveling carnival on the eve of its grand opening. When Sheriff Bet Rivers and her boyfriend, Rob Collier, stumble upon a dead man during a stroll through the fairgrounds, the investigation quickly grows complicated. There was the sound of a gunshot, but the man bears no visible bullet wound. Even more puzzling, none of the carnival workers seems to recognize the victim, leaving Rivers with a nameless co**se and a growing list of suspects. As she fights for answers, the sheriff uncovers a world of deception, with workers operating under assumed names and a community built on secrets. The deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that some of those hiding in the shadows will go to extreme lengths to stay hidden, including committing another murder. Taylor masterfully balances a richly drawn cast of characters with the cozy, small-town charm that makes this series so appealing. The mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace before building to a climax that is both breathtakingly tense and deeply rewarding. Best of all, newcomers to the series need not worry. This installment works beautifully as a standalone, making it an ideal entry point into the world of Sheriff Bet Rivers.—Jeff Ayers

Write On The River 2026 Spring Writers Conference May 29-31. Come join me!